Cloth steaming and drying machine



(No Model.) v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

P. BRELLE.

CLOTH STEAMING AND DRYING MAGHINE.

No. 392,903. I Patented Nov. 18, 1888.

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' P. BRBLLE.

CLOTH STEAMING AND DRYING MACHINE.

v No. 392,903.

Patented'Nov. 13, 1888.

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FRANK BRELLE, or PHTLADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CLOTH STEAMING AND DRYING MACHlNE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.392,903, dated November 13, 1888.

Application filed April 13, 1887. Serial No. 234,652. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK BRELLE, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented an Improved Cloth Steaming and Drying Machine, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of an improved machine for both sponging or steaming and drying cloth, as hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an end view of my improved machine. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is atransverse section on the line 1 2, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a side view. Fig. 5 is a transverse section of a modified form of drier and steamer. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of the same; and Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of one of the clamps.

The machine illustrated in the accompanying drawings is adapted to be applied to a table or othersuitable support by being clamped upon the edge of the table; but I do not wish to confine myself to thespecial form of frame shown, as my machine may be arranged in various other ways, such as mounted on standards upon the floor.

In the machine illustrated, A A are the side brackets,having clamps a, by which the apparatus is to be secured to the table or other suitable base, B. Each bracket is shown .as having three arms, I), b, and b. In the central arms,b,of the brackets are mounted the tubular extensions (Z of the steaming and drying box or cylinder D, and as the cylinder is not intended to turn I retain it in position by means of set-screws or other suitable devices on the brackets.

The steaming or drying boxD is shown in the present instance as cylindrical and with flanges d at opposite ends. In the upper part of the periphery of the cylinder is a longitudinal opening, 0, which can be closed by a longitndinally-slidinglid, E, flanges on the edge of the lid fitting over flanges or grooves on each side of the opening e, and thus serving as guides for the slide E. The outer end of the slide passes through a corresponding slot in the flange at that end of the box or cylinder D, and the slide may be provided with a lip or flange, e, by which it can be drawn out to expose the opening e, when desired. To the outer ends of the hollow journals d are con nected flexible or other suitable tubes, F, by which steam can be supplied to the steaming and drying box D from a suitable steam-generator.

My object in using two steam-supplies at opposite ends ofthe box or cylinder is to obtain a more even distribution of the steam in the sponging operation and a more uniform heating of the cylinder for the drying operation than can be obtained where the steamsupply is at one end only.

F is the outlet for the waters of condensation.

In a bearing in each of the arms bis mounted a spindle, g, carrying a suitable clamp, G, the construction of which will be more clearly seen on reference to Fig. 2. This clamp consists of a pair of j aws, j j, which can be drawn together by means of a bolt or screw, t, to clamp between them the end of the board J, carrying the roll of cloth to be treated,or onto which the cloth may be wound, as indicated in Fig. 3. The jaws j j of the clamps are made quite long, in order that they may beinserted'into the roll of cloth to grasp the board, which is sometimes shorter than the width of the cloth, Fig. 7. These long jaws permit the grasping of different lengths of boards.

\Vhen the apparatus is to be used for steaming the cloth, the lid E is removed from the steam-box D by drawing the lid out, as indieated in Fig. 2, and the roll of cloth having been mounted ,in one pair of brackets, b, by clamping the ends of the board in the jaws thereof, and the end of the cloth having been drawn over the top of the steam-box D, across the opening 0, and this end connected to the other board, J, held in the clamps in the opposite pair of brackets, I), steam is admitted through the tubes F. The clamps carrying the board onto which the cloth is to be wound are then turned by meansof a-suitable handle, H, removably applied to the spindle of one of the clamps,so that as the cloth is drawn across the top of the box it will be thoroughly sponged or steamed.

When the cloth is to be dried, the lid E is replaced, so as to close the opening 0 in the top of the box, and then the cloth is drawn over the top of the lid inthe same manner in either direction.

I prefer to combine with the steaming and drying box a removable'eover, M, as illus trated in the modification shown in Figs. 5 and 6. This cover is of semi-tubular form,or, rather, in the form ofa segment of a cylinder, larger than a semi-cylinder, as illustrated in Fig. 6, and has at its edges ribs or flanges m, which adapt themselves to corresponding notches or grooves in the end flanges, d, and this curved cover is so much larger than the drying-box itself as to leave a space between the interior of the cover and the exterior of the cylindrical box. The cloth passes around the steaming-cylinder D wholly within the inclosing-cover M.

The cover is preferably of the same diameter as the end flanges, so that when it is slid longitudinally into place over the two flanges the cover will fit closely onto the flanges, and there will be no escape for the steam which may enter the space between the cover and box, except through the open bottom of the cover. This cover is provided at the end with a suitable handle, a, by which it may be read ily withdrawn.

When the apparatus is used for steaming purposes, and supposing the cloth to besomewhat narrower in width than the lengthof the cylinder, the steam, as will be seen by the arrows, Fig. 6, can escape through the longitudinal slot or opening a in the steaming-box around the edges of the cloth; but being confined by the cover M it will have the advantage of steaming the cloth on the upper as well as the lower side before escaping at the open bottom of the cover M.

When the apparatus is used for drying simply, the cover possesses the advantage of preventing undue radiation of heat, as it does also in the steaming operation.

In connection with this combined steaming and drying box I provide a device which can be used for measuring the cloth, either when it is being steamed or dried,or both. This device consists of an ordinary indicating-counter, K, having projecting through a slot in its under side a contact-wheel, 7a, to bear on the cloth as it is being drawn over the top of the steaming and drying box. This counting device is carried by an arm, Z, which may be clamped in position on one of the brackets b by the same set-screw which holds the steaming and drying box in position.

When the indicating and measuring device is not to be used, the clamp or screw 8 is loosened and the arm carrying the indicator turned away, as shown in Fig. 2.

I claim as my invention- 1.. A combined steaming and drying device having a steaming-cylinder around which the cloth passes, in combination with a cover inclosing the said steaming-cylinder and the portion of the cloth passing around the latter, all substantially as described.

2. A combined steaming and drying device having a steaming-cylinder with a longitudinal opening, and a removable lid for said opening, in combination with acover inclosing the said steamiug cylinder, all substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK BRELLE.

\Vitnesses:

\VILLTAM 1). German, HARRY Siurrir. 

